The Philippine National Police (PNP) sought to enhance its partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to address concerns about the potential overcrowding in youth shelters amid the strict enforcement of curfew hours for minors under the Safer Cities Initiative.

PNP Chief, Police Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said he would coordinate with the DSWD after stakeholders expressed concern over the potential congestion of local Bahay Pag-asa facilities, which are managed by the DSWD, as worries mount that the system could fail if hundreds of minors are rescued in a single night.

“Our goal is to protect the youth, not overwhelm the system. By working closely with DSWD, we ensure that rescued minors receive proper care without straining our shelters,” Nartatez explained.

The Children’s Legal Rights and Development Center (CLRDC) recently urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to reconsider its blanket curfew for minors in Metro Manila.

The group warned that the policy may lead to arbitrary arrests, cautioning against the potential abuse of at-risk children.

The CLRDC highlighted that curfew enforcement often results in overcrowded Bahay Pag-Asa centers and the mistreatment of children. They drew these comparisons from past experiences, including the 2018 anti-loitering campaign.

But Nartatez clarified the PNP views the curfew enforcement as a protective measure rather than a punitive one, saying the initiative is a necessary step for public safety.

“The curfew is a preemptive shield. It reduces the window of opportunity for syndicates to exploit minors and keeps our youth away from environments that breed criminality,” he reiterated.

The PNP chief stressed the urgency of these operations after a recent robbery at a gas station in General Emilio Aguinaldo, Cavite. The incident occurred on the night of April 6 and involved two motorcycle-riding suspects, including a 17-year-old boy.

Armed with a shotgun and handgun, the suspects took P30,450 in cash from the gas station’s register before fleeing. Police chased the pair after receiving a report about the incident.

Police arrested a 21-year-old suspect who sustained gunshot wounds after a firefight with the responding team. The minor suspect was later arrested in a follow-up operation.

“This incident proves why strict enforcement is necessary. A child should be at home, studying or sleeping, not holding a weapon at a gas station. We are now hunting the adults linked to these suspects,” Nartatez added.